Primary, 2012, Stephen Ormandy,oil on linen, 198 x 168cm

Stephen Ormandy is well known as one half of iconic Australian design company Dinosaur Designs, whose impressive reputation both here and abroad is well documented, and very well deserved! I’m not sure I can think of a more inspiring cult status Australian design brand, who continue to innovate and lead in their category, more than 27 years after first launching their business (in 1985!).

However, like the other two founding partners of Dinosaur Designs, Louise Olsen and Liane Rossler, Stephen actually started his career with a degree in fine art, and a burning ambition to paint. Subsequently, his art practice has developed steadily alongside the growth and success of Dinosaur Designs.

Stephen’s vibrant abstract paintings and sculptures are inspired by the natural world, but also point clearly to his design credentials, emphasised in his measured, precise use of block colour and geometric forms. Stephen’s current solo show, Polychromatism, opened just last week at Tim Olsen gallery in Sydney. His striking paintings have gathered a loyal following and have found their way into many private collections over the years, but I must say I’m most drawn to these new resin sculptures he’s made for this exhibition! Aren’t they incredible?

I wish I could pop up to see this show in person – there appears to be such lovely dialogue between the two-dimensional canvases on the walls, and playful resin sculptures displayed alongside. However, collectors will be pleased the know that whilst Stephen’s paintings fetch quite large sums these days, the sculptures you see here are comparatively very affordable, starting from $1600.